Questions concerning the role of sex, ethnicity, age, class, and health for the distribution of power are addressed, and how several of these categories interact and reinforce power structures.

Other studies deal with the socioeconomic evaluation of social-policy reforms concerning substance abuse and crime, the implementation of new psychiatric methods, as well as youth welfare and placements in institutions. Concepts such as participation, empowerment, and client influence have their place in this research area. The Swedish welfare system is also studied with a view to the organization of child care and national differences concerning parental leave.

Research on evaluation focuses on evaluation as an activity and social phenomenon, as well as the development of theories and methods for evaluation. The main focus is on the critical assessment of evaluation in political decision-making processes, and on how democratic principles are applied in that context. Another core issue is evaluation as a learning process. The purpose of our research is to contribute with theoretical knowledge to the field.

Research programmes

In the research environment Comparative Welfare Studies and Evaluation, there are following research programmes:

• Evaluation in the welfare system
• ICU CHILD
• Sociopolitical reforms and implementation

The programmes comprise a number of projects within the research environment and involve readers, senior lecturers, and doctoral students and often involve cooperation with other seats of learning and/or society at large.